Micro-level strategy, work at grassroots helped BJP clinch all seats in Karnal

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has swept all five seats in Karnal district, largely due to tireless grassroots-level work by its cadre and volunteers from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This micro-level strategy played a key role in securing decisive victories across the district’s Assembly segments.

Initially, the BJP faced internal challenges, particularly at Karnal, Assandh and Indri seats, where resentment arose among party leaders and workers over ticket distribution. The party leadership, including former Chief Minister and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and caretaker Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had to work hard to pacify the discontent, with some leaders even leaving the party, making the task more difficult for candidates. However, the combined efforts of the party’s organisational structure and dedicated cadre work, led by Karnal MP Khattar, helped deliver an impressive performance across the district.

One of the key turning points during the campaign was the appointment of Brij Gupta, husband of former Mayor Renu Bala Gupta, as the officiating district president.

Gupta and former Mayor had initially expressed displeasure over the distribution of the party ticket to Jagmohan Anand in the Karnal Assembly segment. However, his leadership in mobilising party workers and encouraging them to engage directly with voters proved vital. Gupta’s efforts ensured effective voter outreach to know local concerns and motivation of the cadre to work together.

“Under the leadership of former CM and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and caretaker CM Nayab Singh Saini, our workers tirelessly contributed to the party’s success in all five seats,” said Brij Gupta, officiating district president.

Khattar played a crucial role, holding numerous meetings across the five Assembly segments. BJP’s star campaigners, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, caretaker CM Nayab Singh Saini, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, MP Anurag Thakur, MP Ravi Kisan, former Union Minister Smriti Irani, and state president Mohan Badoli, also campaigned extensively to secure victories.

In the Karnal Assembly segment, Jagmohan Anand secured an impressive debut victory, as did Yoginder Singh Rana in Assandh. Harvinder Kalyan won the seat for the third consecutive time from Gharaunda, while former MLA Ram Kumar Kashyap won the seat for the second consecutive time from Indri and Nilokheri candidate Bhagwan Das Kabirpanthi made a comeback after a decade and won the seat.

Brij Gupta, who personally conducted over 125 meetings across the five segments, credited the party’s success to a well-planned, positive campaign. “We won because of our dedicated workers and their relentless efforts,” Gupta said. “Our victories reflect the success of BJP’s grassroots engagements and effective outreach to local communities.”